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When one is of the mind to explore underwater treasures and beautiful beaches, the Caribbean region comes to mind. The islands, however, are not the only attractions here. There is also Honduras in Central America to consider, which is an unnoticed gem. It is also loaded with various other attractions, from Mayan ruins to the seductive beauty of its highlands and jungle reserves. Its capital is Tegucigalpa.

Bordered by various countries, Honduras is home to several ancient Mesoamerican cultures before it was conquered by Spain in the 19th century. Their culture imparted the predominant Spanish language, as well as numerous customs that have blended with the indigenous culture.

What to see & do

When in Honduras, various natural sights await for tourists such as the Roatan Marine Park, which was set up in 2005 to protect the reef system around the West End and Sandy Bay. Heavily protected, tourists going underwater can appreciate why Roatan Marine Park is one of the popular sites for snorkelling. From here, one can venture to Macaw Mountain Bird Park, an extensive private reserve for Central American macaws along with toucans, motmots, parrots, and a number of other avian species. The birds were donated by owners who did not want them anywhere, with others confiscated from smugglers. There is also the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cuero y Salado to see, which has taken its name from Cuero and Salado rivers, which has turned out waterways, mangrove forests, and lagoons. Those exploring here will also find various other creatures from howler and white-faced monkeys to sloths, otters, caimans, and over a hundred species of birds.

Those seeking to appreciate more natural landscapes can go on to the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Ojochal, a private wildlife reserve lying south of San Marco de Colon. Gorgeous pine and tropical forests await here, with various types of wildlife such as white-faced monkeys. From here, tourists can also try out going to Parque Eco-Arqueologico Los Naranjos with its six kilometres of trails winding through the forest over hanging bridges and a lakeside boardwalk. This provides many opportunities to spot birds, which can be delightful given the variety to be found in this side of the Atlantic. Those traversing the landscape will also find a small museum here, which gives an overview of the Lencan civilisation.

The historic parts of Honduras are also fun to explore, such as the Museo de la Identidad Nacional. Housed in a beautifully maintained 19th century structure, visitors will find here a superb introduction to the history of the country through a series of modern exhibits. The Tunel Rosalila and Tunel de los Jaguares are also prime attractions here, where one will see ancient structures below surface buildings. There is also the Museo de Escultura to view, which is well-known for its limestone relief panels, which is unique even to the Mayan civilisation due to its sculpture. It also has a full-scale replica of the Rosalila temple, which was discovered in nearly perfect condition by archaeologists in 1989.

How to get around within Honduras

When going around Honduras, tourists will find plenty of options from buses that take passengers to different parts of the country to boats that go to various destinations along the coast. Taxis also serve as a prominent option for travellers checking out the cities, while others who prefer a more leisurely alternative should think of renting a car to navigate across different parts of the country. Those who prefer to take public transport to faraway locations within Honduras, however, can fly to domestic airports via the local airlines.